William keuffel



(No Model.)

W. KEUFFEL.

TAPE MEASURE CASE. i No. 363,070.. Patented May 1'7, 1887.

ll-Ill'llllillllllllllllllllllllllIW N. Pneus, Phalumunpbnr. washington o. c.

`ji FFGEO VILLIAM KEUFFEL, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

TAPE-MEASURE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,070, dated May 17, 1887.

Application filed February 2S, 1887. Serial No. 229,105. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM KEUFFEL, of Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in TapeMeasure Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved case for tapelnieasures, made of linen, steel, and other material, said case being so constructed that the reel or center on which the tape is wound revolves with little friction, and which 1s operated by a folding crank, the handle of which is arranged to pass through a hub at the center of the case; and the invention consists of a tape-1neasure case the reel of which is provided with a hub that is guided by fixed guide-rings at opposite sides of the case, the hub being secured by a beveled nut to the lixed ring at one side ofthe case. The top plate of the reel or center' is guided along a shoulder of the guide-ring on the same side ofthe cas ing, and provided with a recess for a folding crank, to which a handle is applied by aknuckle-joint, said handle being adapted to pass through the hub of the reel and project at the opposite-side of the same, to facilitate the storing away of the handle and the opening of the crank in outward direction on its hinge-joint whenever the tape is to be wound up.

[n the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a top view of my improved tapelneasure case. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on line .fr m, Fig. l, showing the handle in the act of being inserted in the hub at the center of the case; and Fi 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on line i/ y, Fig. l, at. right angles to the section shown in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the ease of a tapemeasure of the usual style, which case is made of sheet metal and protected at the outside by a leather covering. The case A is provided with a larger opening at the top of the case and with a smaller opening at the bottom of the same, which openings serve to insert the rotating reel or center' B.

At one point of its circumference the case A is provided with an opening, through which the tape is passed to the outside of the case, the tape being provided with a wire ring at the end, that serves as a stop for preventing the drawing in of the tape when winding the same around the center. At the top of the case A is arranged aflanged ring, c, which is provided with a guide-shoulder for the top plate, B', of the center B. The flanged ring a is soldered or otherwise attached to the case A. At the opposite or bottom side of the ease A is arranged a flanged ring, b, of smaller diameter than the ring c, the ring b being also soldered or otherwise rigidly attached to the case. The inner end of the ring b abuts against a shoulder, d', of the hub d, which latter turns freely in the flanged ring b. The outer end of the hub d is threaded and engaged by a beveled screw-nut, e, which iits on a beveled seat of the iianged ring b, said nut being provided with notches at diametrically-opposite points, for being readily screwed on the threaded end of the hub or unscrewed from the same, as desired. The top plate, B', has a radial recess, f, for the folding crank f, which crank is hinged to the top plate, B', near the circumference of the same, as shown clearly in Figs. l and 2. To the inner end of the crank f is applied, by a knucklejoint, g, a handle, g, whichswiugs 0n its pivot and passes readily through the hub of the reel or center' B, the end ofthe handle g projecting at the opposite end of the hub d when the hinged portion f is placed in the recess of the top plate, BQ flush with the same, as shown in Fig. 8. Vhen the tape is pulled ont of the case, the reel or` center rotates between the flanged rings a and I), and exerts but a small friction thereon. For winding up the tape, the crank f is first lifted by pressure on the protruding end of the handle g, and then swung, by means of its hinge and the knuckle-joint of the crank and handle, into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which position-the crank has considerable leverage and permits the convenient winding of the tape, as customary in tapemeasures of this class. The center or reel of winding the tape.

IOO

the center or reel of the tapcameasure is proper1 y centered,and thereby moved more securely around its axis. The construction is simple7 strong, and durable, and permits the ready putting together of the parts of the case and the detaching of the same in case of repairs.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. rIhe combination of a case having tixed top and bottom guide-rings, a reel guided by said rings and provided with a central hub, a crank hinged to the top plate and provided with a pivoted handle passing through the hub, and a screw-nut applied to the threaded end of the hub and fitted into the bottom guidering of the case, substantially as set for-th.

2. The combination of a tape-measure case having fixed top and bottom guide-rings, a reel guided by said rings and provided with a central hub, said hub having a shoulder for the bottom guide-ring and a threaded outer end, and a beveled screw nut applied to the seaovo threaded end ol' the hub and fitted into the bottoni guide-ring, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a tapemeasure case having flanged top and bottom guide-rings, a reel having a central hub passing through the bottom ring, said hub having a shoulder 'and a threaded outer end, a screw-nut screwed to the threaded end of the hub, a top plate attached to the top part of the reel and provided with a radial recess, a crank hinged to said top plate, and provided with a knucklejointed handle that is adapted to pass through the hub and project at the lower end ofthe same7 substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingI as my invention I have signed my name'in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM KEUFFEL. Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, MARTIN PETRY. 

